Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore opens inaugural fair exclusively featuring LGBTQIA+ owned and operated businesses

Sydney came alive today with the inaugural Buy Rainbow, a one-of-a-kind event hosted by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association (SGLBA).Held in the heart of the city at Paddington Town Hall, this vibrant market featured an incredible array of LGBTQIA+ businesses from all over Sydney, creating a colourful, inclusive space for community and connection.With stalls ranging from fashion to art, wellness, and food, it was a feast for the senses and a powerful celebration of diversity.This first-ever market aimed to elevate queer-owned and operated businesses, offering them a platform to showcase their talents and creativity while encouraging the community to "buy rainbow" and support local.IN PICTURES: All the stars spotted at the 2024 Mardi GrasThe experience was unforgettable. Walking among the stalls, I had the chance to meet passionate entrepreneurs who pour their heart and soul into their work.From stunning handmade jewellery to eco-friendly skincare and delicious artisanal foods, and even a rainbow funeral company, it was clear these businesses represent the incredible talent and innovation within Sydney's LGBTQIA+ community.SGLBA President Jarrod Lomas explained, "In 1982 the SGLBA ran Gay Fair, which was a collection of businesses that came together to support the community. Gay Fair became the Mardi Gras event now know as Fair Day".Earlier this year the 2024 Mardi Gras Fair Day was cancelled over asbestos concerns at Victoria Park, leaving an opportunity for the SGLBA to bring back the original tradition that started it all.Buy Rainbow was not just about shopping; it was a day filled with fun and connection. There were performances by local LGBTQIA+ artists, delicious food, and the most welcoming, inclusive energy you could imagine.It was impossible not to feel proud of the creativity and resilience of the queer community in Sydney.Buy Rainbow was opened by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who said, "Inclusion is the key to a vibrant city and it means that people feel valued, safe and respected". "For four decades I have fought alongside LGBTQIA+ communities for equality and to end discrimination, and since I have been Lord Mayor of Sydney, we have been very supportive of the community, and, I'm very proud of this, the community has grown to be the largest in Australia," Moore added.READ MORE: 'Why I marched in the Mardi Gras for the first time in 15 years'SGLBA has long been a champion of LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurship, and the Buy Rainbow is a natural extension of their ongoing work to support the community.With a focus on fostering a thriving queer economy, the market aimed to connect LGBTQIA+ businesses with customers who are eager to support them.For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.Event organisers hope to make the 2024 Buy Rainbow the beginning of a new tradition that will no doubt grow in the years to come.In the meantime, visit the SGLBA to explore some of the incredible businesses and continue supporting the LGBTQIA+ community through your purchases.FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.